Baltimore City Power Rankings: Ray Rice, Black Friday, MICA, more

Illustration by Alex Fine

Activists, BPD, Students

In the wake of the Ferguson grand jury's decision not to indict Darren Wilson in the killing of Michael Brown, Baltimore activists led powerful, mostly peaceful protest marches throughout the city, briefly blocking traffic on I-83 and elsewhere. The BPD and commissioner Batts, who described the protests as "an outpouring of pain," were visible throughout, working with leaders to maintain order. Students at City and Poly organized sit-ins while a student at Catonsville High School, instead of leading the Pledge of Allegiance during morning announcements, declared a moment of silence for victims of police brutality. Here's hoping the conversations and actions continue.

Activists, BPD, Students

In the wake of the Ferguson grand jury's decision not to indict Darren Wilson in the killing of Michael Brown, Baltimore activists led powerful, mostly peaceful protest marches throughout the city, briefly blocking traffic on I-83 and elsewhere. The BPD and commissioner Batts, who described the protests as "an outpouring of pain," were visible throughout, working with leaders to maintain order. Students at City and Poly organized sit-ins while a student at Catonsville High School, instead of leading the Pledge of Allegiance during morning announcements, declared a moment of silence for victims of police brutality. Here's hoping the conversations and actions continue.

The former Raven won an appeal of his indefinite suspension from the NFL for assaulting his wife Janay Rice in an Atlantic City elevator. The couple has begun a public-relations campaign, giving interviews to ESPN and NBC, but it remains to be seen whether any team will offer him a contract. Thankfully, the Ravens have already said he'll never play for them again, because the Ravens already have at least one accused domestic abuser (Terrell Suggs, accused of beating and pouring bleach on his wife) and don't need any more.

Ray Rice

The former Raven won an appeal of his indefinite suspension from the NFL for assaulting his wife Janay Rice in an Atlantic City elevator. The couple has begun a public-relations campaign, giving interviews to ESPN and NBC, but it remains to be seen whether any team will offer him a contract. Thankfully, the Ravens have already said he'll never play for them again, because the Ravens already have at least one accused domestic abuser (Terrell Suggs, accused of beating and pouring bleach on his wife) and don't need any more.